Lahore, January 29, 2026: Police on Thursday arrested all three suspects nominated in a first information report (FIR) registered after a woman and her minor daughter died after falling into an under-construction sewer line near Data Darbar a day earlier.
The FIR, lodged at Bhatti Gate police station under Section 322 (manslaughter) of the Pakistan Penal Code, was filed by the woman’s father. It names the project manager, safety in-charge and site in-charge of the construction project, accusing them of gross negligence for leaving the manhole uncovered.
According to the FIR, the complainant said his son received a call from the victim’s husband informing him of the incident. “We reached Data Darbar around 2:30am, where my son-in-law told us that his wife and daughter had fallen into the open manhole,” the complainant stated. He added that while the woman’s body had been recovered, the child was still missing at the time.
“Due to their negligence and carelessness, my daughter and my granddaughter lost their lives,” the FIR said.
Confirming the arrests, Lahore Operations SSP Mohammad Tauqir said all suspects nominated in the FIR had been taken into custody. The action followed directives from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to expand the scope of accountability and ensure punishment for those responsible.
Earlier on Thursday, police said the body of the infant — aged around nine to ten months — was recovered. Rescue 1122 said its diving team retrieved the child’s body from Saggian, about five kilometres from Bhatti Chowk. The mother’s body was found during the early hours of Thursday morning.
The woman and her child reportedly fell into the open manhole on Wednesday evening after dismounting a rickshaw. Conflicting accounts initially emerged, with some authorities questioning whether the woman had fallen into the sewer, citing low water levels. Rescue teams had initially doubted the call made by the husband, while some official statements placed blame on him, prompting police to interrogate him.
However, police later clarified that water flow had been strong at the time of the incident. DIG Operations Faisal Kamran said the water level receded later in the night. He confirmed that the woman’s body was found at a disposal station on Outfall Road.
The incident also raised serious questions about safety oversight, as the under-construction sewer line remained uncovered despite heavy foot traffic in the area frequented by devotees visiting Data Darbar.
Following the tragedy, two officials of TEPA, a subsidiary of the Lahore Development Authority (LDA), were suspended with immediate effect.
CM Maryam fires Lahore DC, orders arrests
Chairing a high-level meeting, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz strongly criticised senior officials for what she described as “criminal negligence”. She announced the removal of the Lahore deputy commissioner, and ordered strict action against multiple officials and contractors.
“Rs500 billion is being spent on construction across Punjab to improve lives, not to kill people,” she said, adding that the incident occurred in one of Lahore’s busiest areas. “Leaving a manhole open in such a prime location is criminal negligence.”
The chief minister rejected claims that warning signs were sufficient, noting poor lighting and the inability of many pedestrians to read signs. She said CCTV footage confirmed the woman was not pushed, and that Rescue 1122 was called within two minutes of the fall.
“The contractor, supervisor, consultant, Nespak, TEPA, LDA, Wasa — all are responsible. But so are the commissioner, deputy commissioner and assistant commissioner,” she said.
CM Maryam directed the chief secretary to remove TEPA Project Director Zahid Hussain and Wasa site in-charge Usman Babar, ordering that they be barred from future government jobs. She also ordered the arrest of the project manager, safety in-charge and site in-charge, instructing authorities to register strong cases for criminal negligence.
“The word ‘criminal’ is not enough for this negligence,” she said, stressing that no construction site should ever be left unsecured, particularly in high-footfall areas.
The incident comes weeks after a similar tragedy in Bahawalpur, where a seven-year-old boy died after falling into an open manhole, highlighting persistent safety lapses in public infrastructure projects.
